British primary Katie Boulter got here by way of a tricky check in opposition to Chinese language sixth seed Yue Yuan to win 6-2 5-7 6-2 and attain the ultimate of the Hong Kong Open.
Boulter, 28, will play Russian high seed Diana Shnaider, 20, on Sunday as she bids for a 3rd WTA title of the 12 months.
The second seed, who’s at present twenty ninth on the earth however will transfer as much as no less than twenty third when the rankings are subsequent up to date, is aiming so as to add to earlier event victories in Nottingham and San Diego.
“I simply needed to complete my 12 months on a profession excessive, which is why at the moment meant a lot to me,” stated Boulter, who reached her earlier finest rating of twenty seventh in March.
“I’ve truly completed that, so I’ve obtained nothing to lose tomorrow. I’m simply going to swing free and luxuriate in it.”
Boulter edged a aggressive opening set and the 2 gamers shared 4 breaks of serve in the beginning of the second earlier than 26-year-old Yuan broke her once more within the twelfth sport to power a deciding set.
The Briton cranked up the depth within the opening sport of the ultimate set, clinching it with a forehand winner on her fourth break level, and stormed right into a 3-0 lead after Yuan served up a double fault to reward her the double break.
Boulter then confirmed actual grit to fend off Yuan in a marathon fourth sport earlier than closing out the win in opposition to the world quantity 45 together with her sixth ace of the match.
She is going to tackle Shnaider for the primary time after the world quantity 14 beat Canada’s defending champion Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-2 in Saturday’s second semi-final.